I did a Google lens search to see if it was expensive or rare. Found it had a 3.8 rating on Vivino and priced under $20. So it must just be some old bottle someone left. It was also in the bar near some other random bottles of old liquors.
The cork broke when opening. Upon getting the cork out it was dry. Smelled of balsamic vinegar. I smelled the bottle itself and the immense smell of it was so bad I didn’t even taste it and dumped it. The sink drain was closed and the sink filled with sediment and even more of a strong smell of vinegar. I washed it all out. That’s when everyone walks in and asked me about the wine. I had no idea he had put it there let alone paid an enormous sum for the wine. Queue the chaos… he believes me (I’ve been wine tasting in many areas around the world and throughout Italy for the last two weeks)
He says he got it from a shop owner in Italy. I think he needs to do a chargeback on his credit card. He clearly got scammed. Thoughts? Feelings? I feel terrible and the worst part is the only evidence was the smelly cork and tiny bit of wine left in the bottle.
by OneBloom-Photography
4 Comments
A fool and his money are soon parted
– famous proverb
I would argue that the lower the vivino score, the better the wine. Anything 2.9-3.7 stars is a sweet spot.
Also while you could do a charge back even though it doesn’t fall under any of the conditions to legally do so, he should just deal with it and move on. Always do your research
Wine-searcher actually shows the last offer as being $150… being a Riserva makes it semi-plausible
Make sure you are searching the Riserva and not the regular one! It can make a huge difference.
Sediment is totally fine on a 13 year old wine, and smelling of balsamic vinegar is probably not too far off from how it should be.
Whether it actually tasted like vinegar or you just didn’t like the acidity of this wine (you expect acidity in Vino Nobile di Montepulciano) I have no way of knowing. Actually, I kind of suspect heat damage.
But yeah, I can’t draw any conclusions. I don’t think your FIL got scammed. Caveat emptor. Just take the L.
You done fucked up, bud. Don’t blame your bad decision on a shopkeeper.